Country Boy Logic

This Is All About Me

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It’s 3:35 A.M. but as is often the case, I woke up with an idea. 

When that happens, it’s okay for the words to make sentences in my head, but when they begin forming paragraphs, best I get up and go to the keyboard. That’s because no matter how powerful those middle of the night thoughts are, sleep erases them as if they never existed.

This time, my thought wasn’t to present a theme or make a point as I usually do, but rather to sort of have a one way visit with you while wishing I could do it … Read the rest “This Is All About Me”

Our Lives As Works Of Art

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Each of us is unique to the world. No one has ever existed that is identical to what we are.

Someone might look just like you and maybe even have similar genetic makeup. The rest of you, however, is yours alone —  a blend highly-flavored by external impressions.

Among the most important of those are the people you meet, especially those who impress you with what they know or do. Just as many brush strokes become a painting, so do all of what they contribute become a part of you, their manner influencing your behavior ever so slightly, but strong … Read the rest “Our Lives As Works Of Art”

It Was All About A Little Bug

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As illogical as it seemed, there he was, standing next to a tree, his camera on a tripod, its lens focused on an object only a few inches away.

The day before, Ernst Haas who many considered the world’s greatest color photographer, had electrified a group of his contemporaries with his photographs. They weren’t just ordinary images, but rather the same ones that appeared in his book, The Creation. As described in the scriptures of the Holy Bible, his book visually depicted what the earth must have looked like as it was being created.

To get those pictures, however, Ernst … Read the rest “It Was All About A Little Bug”

A Different Way To Look At Everything

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Our daily existence has become a constant and time driven matter of push and pull. So it’s no wonder we rarely, if ever, take time to think about where we fit in a world that was here long before the human race made an entrance.

Although most people will barely take time to say it doesn’t matter, the wisest among us see the good in allowing ourselves to pause long enough to let a few logical realities sink in. If you are one of them, then this is your chance.

For starters, understand that Mother Nature has been running the … Read the rest “A Different Way To Look At Everything”

The Future Is Our New Past

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As you likely have noticed, over the nearly five years I have been writing this column, I’ve made frequent mentions of the past. That’s because the past yields considerable facts, wisdom, and logic that weighs into all important decision making.

The past reveals what we have done right or wrong and is often able to point a finger at the reasons. That’s how, and after the fact, we learn what not to do or even try because we already know the likely result. 

That, however, is possible only if we are willing to realize that as much as we would … Read the rest “The Future Is Our New Past”

When Monologues Become A Dialog

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In conversing with others, most of us know better than to even hint about venturing into the three assumed private havens of religion, politics, and sex. 

Although we might debate whether we have broken ranks on religion and sex, there’s little doubt in the minds of all of us that open season has been declared on politics. Whether it’s fair or unfair game, many are taking aim. 

It’s difficult for any of us to remember a time when our society was such a battlefield of opposing political views, each side attempting to denounce, neuter, or even destroy the other. The … Read the rest “When Monologues Become A Dialog”

The Soft Side Of Hard Sell

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Deep inside all of us is a strong want, wish, or yearning. It can be as wide and general as wanting to live a good life or as narrow and specific as owning a fine home in the best part of town. Or maybe it’s a matter of personal achievement, becoming everything you could possibly be.

As you view it, three reasons are responsible for you being unable to satisfy that want. You either don’t have the right contacts, the know-how, or enough money to make it happen. 

What’s agonizing is that others seem to have overcome those obstacles, so … Read the rest “The Soft Side Of Hard Sell”

The Paper Cross

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I was lifting a pile of old and odd shaped papers from a long forgotten box when a piece of stiff paper in the shape of a cross fell to the floor.

On one side was a colorful artistic rendition of a cross. On the blank back side were these penciled in words: I wore this in the Easter program, 1944. Daddy put it on.

Then came this highly probable flashback: After making sure we were properly dressed for the occasion, our family of four would have driven to the other side of “town” (a scant three blocks) to … Read the rest “The Paper Cross”

You Just Never Know

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There I was, almost finished with military service at Ft. Riley, Kansas, but first having to suffer through one of the hottest and driest summers on record.

It was a sizzling Sunday afternoon and my buddy Roger and I were attempting to tough out the heat in the barracks with no air conditioning. Right then and there we decided enough was enough. We had to find some way to escape the heat. 

That’s when we got the idea of getting some leave time and going to Colorado. Roger didn’t have his car there, but I had mine. We found a … Read the rest “You Just Never Know”

Smoothing Regret’s Rough Edges

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Only rarely do we hear anyone say they have no regrets. That’s because it’s unthinkable that anyone could be so perfect as to never make a regrettable mistake.

Then again, it’s possible that such a person has some regrets but somehow has been so successful in making amends with themselves and others affected that the incidents have simply been forgotten.

Although it’s later in life when regrets plague us most, they can occur much earlier, right after we begin having to decide such issues as where we live, with whom, by what means, and to what end. Some decisions are … Read the rest “Smoothing Regret’s Rough Edges”